The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
ON June 30, revered social commentator Dr Rebecca Chisamba will celebrate 36 years in broadcasting.
A glitz and glamour event has been lined up at Manna Safari Lodge in honour of the milestone achievement and it will be open to the public.
Dr Chisamba rose to fame through her popular ZBC TV programme “Mai Chisamba Show” and The Sunday Mail weekly column “Mudzimba”.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with this publication, Amai Chisamba, as she is affectionately known by her legion of followers, paid tribute to her family and office team for organising the event.
“My team decided to recognise my journey. It was supposed to be a surprise, but they could not pull it off without me knowing,” she said with a chuckle.
The esteemed social commentator said the voyage has not been rosy, but she has managed to soldier on because of her supportive family.
“I never realised that it was 36 years already. I would have never gotten this far without my husband, the Tsikirayi family, Chisambas, friends and fans,” said the mother of five, who is also a philanthropist and motivational speaker.
Over the years, she has won 35 powerful awards for her outstanding work and still yearns for more.
Mai Chisamba’s services are still valued by many, but the 70-year-old said she, at times, contemplates retirement.
“At times I feel I have played my part and now need to rest. However, my family and friends always motivate me to go that extra mile. Just looking at the gongs, I feel I will have let a lot of people down if I retire now,” said Mai Chisamba.
“This is a calling, which is why I am able to balance my private and office life despite the demanding schedule. At times I even wonder how I pull it off. God permitting, I am still around, but once a suitable replacement comes along, then I will retire. Remember, this is not a dynasty.”
Over the years, Dr Chisamba said, she has learnt that proper planning is key to maintain balance between the private and public lives. For instance, she makes sure she is available whenever her fans need her and does the same for the family.
This, she added, entails personally answering her calls and checking messages, even during odd hours.
“Some people reach out to me when they are in difficult situations and need to talk, so I have to be there.
“My husband and family are now used to it. Also, when it comes to attending to column letters, I have to be empathetic. Some of the letters are sensitive to an extent that I have to respond privately,” she revealed.
She also takes time to personally clean her home and cook for the family.
Her daughter Gamuchirai reckons Dr Chisamba is a supportive mother, who lives an exemplary life.
“Being Mai Chisamba’s daughter has opened up many opportunities for me in the corporate world because of the great work she does. People trust me, hence I have also learnt to live an exemplary life,” said Gamuchirai.
However, she bemoans the lack of privacy that comes with celebrity status.
She singles out rumours, stalkers and unnecessary pressure from fans.
“In reality, a life of fame is not easy. Mum’s celebrity status has attracted stalkers for us.
“I have had to deal with them (stalkers) on several occasions. Some cases are serious to the extent that I am abused on social media or through text messages,” she added.
This, Gamuchirai said, has made it difficult for her to distinguish between fake and genuine friends.
The family makes it a tradition to have dinner together despite their busy schedules.
In the mornings, they take a walk with their dogs, while on Sundays, they spend the entire day together, including going out.
“We call her ‘Queen of talk’ and this celebration is our way of appreciating her. It will be a glamorous event just to make her feel good,” she said.
Mai Chisamba’s last-born, Arnold, described her as a fountain of wisdom.
He said it would be selfish of them to keep her all to themselves.
“We understand that it comes with her job.
“She has never missed our school visits, prize-giving days or family vacations and she also cooks for us. She is a God-chosen modern-day superwoman. We appreciate her.
“Many people look up to her. However, they need to understand that she is also human. Life is not always about being serious or discussing pressing issues,” said Arnold.
When Mai Chisamba is not busy, Arnold said, she sometimes watches sport and other television shows with her family, and plays with her grandchildren.
The June 30 event will not only be a platform to celebrate Mai Chisamba’s milestone achievements, but a networking opportunity for businesspeople.
Tickets for the ceremony will be available for sale at various joints to be announced soon.
